Food hygiene and the law What you need to know
There's a lot of confusing advice about what the law says on food hygiene training. This section sets out what's required, in plain English, so you can stop worrying and get on with it.
The law says staff who handle food must be supervised, and instructed or trained, to a level that fits their job. It doesn't require a certificate, a particular level, or a particular type of course. What matters is that your team works safely and that you can show how they were trained.
This rule is the same in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. What differs is some of the paperwork around it. The free food safety pack has a different name in each part of the UK, and Scotland has its own hygiene rating scheme. Our guide to whether a certificate is a legal requirement explains the differences.
Guides in this section
Do your staff legally need a food hygiene certificate?
The answer surprises a lot of people, plus the myths that get passed around kitchens.
Is online food hygiene training good enough?
Why online training counts, and how to make sure it turns into safe habits.
How does staff training affect your food hygiene rating?
Where training counts in your rating, what inspectors look at, and simple ways to show it.
Allergen training for your team: what each role needs to know
The guidance says staff must be trained on allergens. Here is what that means, role by role.
Not legal advice
We're not lawyers, and these guides are based on the law and official guidance. If you're unsure about your own situation, your local council's environmental health team is the best place to ask.